The Zambian Government has declared the current fuel supply situation an emergency.
As a result, the Government has approved the zero-rating of Value Added Tax (VAT) and the suspension of excise duty on petrol and diesel imports.
The measures will take effect from April 1, 2026, and will run for three months.
Minister of Information and Media and Chief Government Spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa in a press statement disclosed that the intervention is designed to ease the burden on households and businesses while the government works to restore normal fuel availability.
He added that the continued conflict in the Middle East has disrupted global oil supply chains, leading to increased international fuel prices and exerting upward pressure on domestic pump prices.
By Darius Choonya
